Little Long Lake

Little Long Lake sits at the top of the Minnesota PCA grading rubric with an A, a mark reached by the cleanest lakes in Minnesota.

Trophically, Little Long Lake reads as oligotrophic — nutrient-poor, clear, and ecologically more sensitive to disturbance than richer lakes. A maximum depth of 45 ft puts Little Long Lake in the middle of Minnesota's depth distribution. At 322 acres, Little Long Lake fits the Minnesota median for monitored lakes, with 6.5 miles of shoreline. Within St. Louis County's 187 graded waters, Little Long Lake sits at rank 10, near the top of the local distribution.

Little Long Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. Walleye are documented at Little Long Lake, one of 11 fish species on record for the lake. A documented public access point at Little Long Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The lake has a partial ice record — 13 observed ice-outs, centered near Apr 28. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.